Hello Mentor EP12 | Nana Al-Haleq on Being a Fitness Enthusiast and Entrepreneur
Majoring from a completely different industry, Nana Al-Haleq shares her story from being an unsure student to her current success as well as some tips, and challenges she faces today.
By Matt Khoo on 2023-11-27 at 7:11 AM
Updated on 2025-01-21 at 7:40 AM
In this episode of Hello Mentor, host Derek Toh engages in an inspiring conversation with Nana Al-Haleq, Malaysia’s most recognized female fitness influencer. Nana opens up about her journey from studying psychology to becoming a certified fitness coach, a TV host, and the co-founder of two thriving businesses: BodyLab and FitSambal.
Nana shares how her passion for fitness not only transformed her career but also became her lifeline during a period of post-graduation depression. With her engaging personality and candid anecdotes, she offers listeners actionable advice on fitness, entrepreneurship, and finding happiness in pursuing what you love.
A certified coach with credentials from Australian Strength Performance, Nana Al-Haleq (@nanaalhaleq) is a highly motivated individual who is constantly striving to be the best at what she does. She is the most recognised female fitness influencer in Malaysia with the most following on Instagram she creates products to help men and women achieve their health goals.
Reinventing herself from an influencer to a TV-Host, in a short span of 2 years, she has hosted popular television shows on NTV7, ASTRO and RTM, namely the Feel Good Show, Fitness Battle, Jom Kurus, Kami Geng FIT, and A-Z Aktif. She’s an official brand ambassador athlete with Under Armour and Apple. Now a household name, Nana is also a businesswoman and the brains behind BodyLab.
To check out BodyLab and FitSambal as mentioned in the podcast, here are the links:
https://www.instagram.com/bodylab.co/
https://www.instagram.com/fitsambalbynana_hq/
Nana candidly discusses the challenges she faced, including societal stereotypes and online criticism as a Malay woman in fitness. She highlights the importance of mental resilience and how she learned to respond with positivity to negativity.
As a businesswoman, Nana co-founded two ventures:
Starting these businesses wasn’t without hurdles. Nana recounts facing social media backlash and product misinformation, which tested her resolve as an entrepreneur. However, her determination to deliver quality products prevailed, solidifying her reputation as a credible entrepreneur.
For those struggling to start their fitness journey, Nana advises:
By Matt Khoo on 2023-11-27 at 7:11 AM